Schools prepare as Common Core Assessment begins this year

The state adopted these new learning standards to better prepare students for college and beyond.

The Common Core State Standards affect mathematics the most. Teachers now require their students to not only know basic math skills, but to apply them with multiple strategies.

Brookland Schools curriculum director Dr. Nicole Covey said Common Core's goals are to strike up conversations and creativity in the classroom.

"One way isn't the only way," Covey said.

Dr. Covey said Brookland schools still teach basic math skills, but encourage students to use multiple strategies to find the same answer.

"Having that creativity and flexibility is ideal for meeting unique, individual needs of every student in the classroom," Covey said. "Not just the paper, pencil. There's nothing wrong with using objects in order to find a solution."

But each student still has a choice between the two.

"If you need them, go get them. If you don't need them, use paper, pencil if that works for you," Covey said. "Every student gets what they need to be the best they can be, and that's not gonna be the same for every child."

Dr. Covey said the next step is for students to learn from each other.

"Conversations are the best ways sometimes that people learn," Covey said. "Now, what teachers are trying to do is give students the opportunity to have those important discussions, 'Why is that the correct answer, why is it not the correct answer, where did we go wrong and how do we fix this?'"

Dr. Covey said students are not complaining.

"I know, just from talking to students, they're having a lot more fun in math class. And I'm not sure that's something that a lot of students would be willing to say that, 'I'm having fun in math,'" Covey said.

Dr. Covey admits test scores will fall in March when students take the first-ever Common Core Assessment.

"Across the state, there will be an implementation dip just for the fact of it's different, it's new," Covey said.

However, Dr. Covey said once they work out the kinks, students will be better off in the future.

"The career and industry sectors have asked for this for quite some time," Covey said. "It will be a more productive career group and college ready group once they've had all of those years under Common Core."

Until then, Dr. Covey asks for patience.

"There's still a lot of unanswered questions. We're gonna do our very best and get everybody prepared. I don't foresee any major issues," Covey said.

Common Core is also changing literacy in schools. Dr. Covey said middle schools will implement 50 percent literary and 50 percent informational texts in the classrooms now, and high schools will implement 30 percent literary and 70 percent informational.

"This gets students ready for college and their careers," Covey said. "Because, in your career, you're not gonna be reading for fun. You're going to be reading to learn."

Schools have been implementing these standards into their curriculum since the Arkansas State Board of Education adopted Common Core in 2010.

To learn more about Common Core State Standards, visit the Common Core website. You can also visit the following for more information:

The Pine Belt Baptist Association, with the help of Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi (R3SM), came together to bring in volunteers to work on one of the biggest home rebuilds since the 2017 tornado. (Photo source: WDAM)

source: wdam

The Pine Belt Baptist Association along with the help of Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi (R3SM) has came together to bring in volunteers to work on one of the biggest home rebuilds since the 2017 tornado. "And we're so grateful to see people coming in and constructing houses for those that are in need," says Pastor Joseph Scott with East Jerusalem Baptist Church. James Eaton says his home was destroyed in the 2017 tornado. Since then, he says he's been livi...

The Pine Belt Baptist Association along with the help of Recover, Rebuild, Restore Southeast Mississippi (R3SM) has came together to bring in volunteers to work on one of the biggest home rebuilds since the 2017 tornado. "And we're so grateful to see people coming in and constructing houses for those that are in need," says Pastor Joseph Scott with East Jerusalem Baptist Church. James Eaton says his home was destroyed in the 2017 tornado. Since then, he says he's been livi...

Every spring, college football teams take to the practice fields to assess and answer questions arising after the previous season. This spring, the University of Southern Mississippi faces more questions than usual.

Every spring, college football teams take to the practice fields to assess and answer questions arising after the previous season. This spring, the University of Southern Mississippi faces more questions than usual.

University of Southern Mississippi right-hander Nick Sandlin dominated the University of Texas-San Antonio Saturday in a 12-2 Conference USA victory at Pete Taylor Park. Monday, the junior from Evans, Ga., was honored for that performance. Sandlin was named C-USA Pitcher of the Week after tying allowing three hits in seven shutout innings that included tying a career high with 14 strikeouts and walking only one.

University of Southern Mississippi right-hander Nick Sandlin dominated the University of Texas-San Antonio Saturday in a 12-2 Conference USA victory at Pete Taylor Park. Monday, the junior from Evans, Ga., was honored for that performance. Sandlin was named C-USA Pitcher of the Week after tying allowing three hits in seven shutout innings that included tying a career high with 14 strikeouts and walking only one.

Roger Satcher was confirmed earlier this month by the Jones County Board of Education as the new head football coach at South Jones High School. (Photo source: WDAM archive)

Five years ago, Roger Satcher got a phone call that took him out of the principal’s office and back to the football field. Now, Satcher will be running his own program on a full-time basis for the first time. The long-time high school coach and administrator was confirmed earlier this month by the Jones County Board of Education as the new head football coach at South Jones High School. Satcher, 54, who spent the past four football seasons as the Braves’ defensive coord...

Five years ago, Roger Satcher got a phone call that took him out of the principal’s office and back to the football field. Now, Satcher will be running his own program on a full-time basis for the first time. The long-time high school coach and administrator was confirmed earlier this month by the Jones County Board of Education as the new head football coach at South Jones High School. Satcher, 54, who spent the past four football seasons as the Braves’ defensive coord...

Presbyterian Christian School announced the retirement of head football coach Joey Hawkins Monday. (Photo source: WDAM)

Presbyterian Christian School announced the retirement of head football coach Joey Hawkins Monday. (Photo source: WDAM)

Presbyterian Christian School announced the retirement of head football coach Joey Hawkins Monday. Headmaster Dr. Allen Smithers posted the announcement to the PCS Bobcats Sports Twitter account. "Coach Hawkins has been talking to us over the last year or so about retirement," Smithers said in the statement. "He wanted to make sure that he had his programs in a good position when someone else took over." Hawkins' 37-year coaching career includes a 234-75 fo...More >>

Presbyterian Christian School announced the retirement of head football coach Joey Hawkins Monday. Headmaster Dr. Allen Smithers posted the announcement to the PCS Bobcats Sports Twitter account. "Coach Hawkins has been talking to us over the last year or so about retirement," Smithers said in the statement. "He wanted to make sure that he had his programs in a good position when someone else took over." Hawkins' 37-year coaching career includes a 234-75 fo...More >>